Joao Moreira and Tony Cruz cannot be ignored with mighty Furore in Hong Kong Cup

Joao Moreira
The ‘Magic Man’ has been riding out of his skin this season, building up a lead of 20 in the jockeys’ title race and showing no signs of relenting. His HKIR mounts are a collection of old favourites plus one untapped talent. Furore has been a revelation since Moreira took over as his regular rider and the potency of this new partnership will be tested in the Cup, in which raiders from abroad are always dangerous.

Zac Purton
Just when he was being written off by some, the Aussie with attitude has come roaring back in a thumping reply to the critics. He won the International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday and started the meeting landing his 1,200th winner in Hong Kong, placing him second on the all-time list. His knowledge of local form and racing patterns gives him a big advantage over his rivals. His glorious association with the grand stayer Exultant continues in the Vase.

Sha Tin on Sunday card

Ryan Moore
Multiple British champion and long-time Ballydoyle jockey who does particularly well at this meeting. His five HKIR winners include hardy campaigner Highland Reel and the versatile Japanese galloper Maurice, both dual winners. When aboard Magical he will be out to even the score with Japan’s Win Bright, who beat him in last year’s Cup, in which he rode runner-up Magic Wand.

Caspar Fownes
Three-time champion trainer has made his intentions clear with a cracking start to the season, leading the title race by nine winners. A third-generation trainer, he has displayed admirable flair in placing his horses, often adventurously but with impressive results. He has a big gun to fire in Classique Legend in the Sprint, the grey arriving off the back of a stunning win (for veteran trainer Les Bridge) in The Everest in Sydney. A man for the big occasion.

Pierre-Charles Boudot excelled on Order Of Australia in the Breeders' Cup Mile for trainer Aidan O'BrienCredit: Bobby Ellis (Getty Images)

Pierre-Charles Boudot
The Arc-winning French champion showed the depth of his talent when riding 300 winners in the 2016 season and has more than 200 on the board this time around. He advanced his reputation to another level with two of the best rides ever seen at a Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland last month. One of his Breeders’ Cup winners, Order Of Australia, backs up in the Mile, facing a very different task this time. Drawn against the inside rail, he should in theory find it a lot easier and enjoy the run of the race.

Vincent Ho
Home-grown talent who is considered the best local jockey since Tony Cruz. The 30-year-old used a good grounding in New Zealand to make an immediate impact when returning home a decade ago and he has been riding well since. He cites a summer stint with Mark Johnston as a big turning point in his career. Ho has the temperament to cope with the pressure of riding two public favourites in Classique Legend in the Sprint and Golden Sixty in the Mile. Local fans will be roaring at their televisions, cheering him home.

Tony Cruz, winner of six Hong Kong jockeys’ titles and two trainers' titles, saddles Exultant and Furore in the International RacesCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Tony Cruz
Riding and training legend who has been making headlines in Hong Kong and around the world, including Britain, for more than four decades and he continues to defy the old adage that top jockeys never make top trainers. After winning six jockeys’ titles, Cruz took out a trainer’s licence and has twice been champion. His two most interesting runners here are Exultant, whose staying prowess sets him apart locally although advancing age makes him vulnerable, and Furore, whose recent form has been impressive.

Aidan O’Brien
It would not be a true international racing occasion unless the Ballydoyle maestro was represented. O’Brien keeps breaking new ground every season and this year sends arguably his strongest contingent. Mogul, who runs in the Vase, has long threatened to win a major prize and Order Of Australia clearly has a certain brilliance to his profile, while Magical bids to become the stable’s most prolific Group 1 winner by notching an amazing eighth success at the highest level.

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 4.25am

Read more articles about the Hong Kong International Races here:

How Hong Kong puts on the world's richest races and funds fight against Covid

Soumillon to miss Hong Kong rides after failing to satisfy Covid-19 protocols

Zac Purton fined HK$40,000 for misconduct after Covid-related tweet

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